For More Information Contact:
Katie Sproles, 341-1850
Eugene Water & Electric Board

Nov. 1, 2007

EWEB employees donate truck load of food

Eugene Water & Electric Board employees will deliver a truck full of food to FOOD for Lane County at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 2.

In addition to more than 1,500 pounds of food that will be unloaded into the non-profit agency’s warehouse at 770 Bailey Hill Road in Eugene on Friday, EWEB will present a $1,000 check to FOOD for Lane County Executive Director Denise Griewisch. For every dollar donated, the agency estimates it can distribute six pounds of food to local member agencies.

“At a time when the food bank is experiencing an unprecedented shortage of food, this incredible donation from EWEB is not only truly appreciated, but it kicks off the food drive season with flair,” says Griewisch. “Emergency food boxes compiled from this amount of food will feed approximately 112 people for three to five days. EWEB leads the way in showing how to make a real difference for families in our community.”

EWEB employees planned the food drive in conjunction with the utility’s annual Charitable Giving Campaign, and set a goal of filling a truck with food for those in need. Friday’s donation of cash and 14 barrels of canned and non-perishable food should meet that goal. Each fall, EWEB employees participate in United Way’s Days of Caring, and donate to United Way and Earth Share of Oregon agencies. This year, employees wanted to do more.

“The community helped me when I needed it,” says EWEB employee and food drive coordinator Lori Tierney. “I was looking for a way to step up and give back to those that helped me so graciously.”

“As a citizen-owned municipal utility, we see our role in the community as more than a provider of water and electricity,” adds EWEB General Manager Randy Berggren. “I am proud of our employees’ commitment to helping others and of their added determination to support those in need with this food drive.”

FOOD for Lane County’s mission is to alleviate hunger by creating access to food. This is accomplished by soliciting, collecting, rescuing, growing and preparing food for distribution through a network of 100 member agencies and programs, as well as through public awareness, education and community advocacy.

EWEB is Oregon’s largest citizen-owned public utility, serving about 86,000 customers with electricity, water and steam services.